How to Support Administrative Professionals Through Education Benefits

In the ever-changing, post-pandemic world, supporting administrative professionals is critical. For many, the pandemic highlighted widening skill gaps, which led to a renewed focus on developing talent. Leveraging educational benefits to fill these gaps and engage our administrative staff can lead to more resilient, adaptable, and accomplished professionals. Angela Elliott, an HR manager at Hormel Foods, recently shared her insights into supporting admin professionals through educational benefits.

Adapting to changes during COVID and beyond

Throughout the pandemic, administrative professionals demonstrated how essential they are to the functioning of every organization. As many teams moved from an in-person work model to a remote model nearly overnight, some administrative professionals shouldered much of the burden of making that change. From developing efficient file structures on a new server to teaching a C-suite leader to use Zoom, a variety of new tasks landed on the plates of administrative professionals. Those days demonstrated how an adaptable, technology-proficient, and problem-solving administrative professional can make a major difference in the success of any team. 

Leveraging education to bridge skill gaps

Education can be key to bridging these skill gaps. Elliott advises, "By seeking out more formal education as part of their professional development, administrative professionals highlight their initiative, resourcefulness, commitment to having a growth mindset, adaptability, and resilience." Education addresses existing gaps while also preparing administrative professionals for future challenges and opportunities.

Elliott recommends the following focus areas for administrative professionals who are looking to build their toolbox of skills:

• Technical skills: Developing proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, and data visualization tools like Tableau.
• Project management and business acumen: Learning to manage complex projects from start to finish and building writing and communication skills in a business context. 
• Generative AI: Understanding the fundamentals of generative artificial intelligence and prompt engineering.
• Soft skills: Improving emotional intelligence, building knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices, networking, and personal brand management.

Elliott encourages administrative professionals who are looking to grow their careers to begin recognizing their skills as transferrable. She also emphasizes the importance of quantifying accomplishments and tying them to business outcomes when building a resume.

Supporting administrative professionals in accessing education benefits

Companies can support their administrative staff by actively promoting educational resources and benefits. Elliott points out the necessity for human resources and corporate communications teams to "regularly market these educational resources and benefits to their team members." Additionally, identifying and removing barriers to accessing these resources is crucial to ensure that all employees can benefit from available educational opportunities.

Elliott shared the following recommended steps for employers:

• Regular promotion of benefits: Actively and frequently promote education benefits to ensure awareness among administrative professionals.
• Guidance: Train line managers to guide their team members toward these resources.
• Identify and remove barriers: Actively work to identify and alleviate any factors hindering access to education benefits.
• Investment in development: Recognize professional development as a vital investment in employees’ growth and future, and allocate company resources as such.

In conclusion

The need for skilled administrative professionals is clear. By offering education benefits and taking the necessary steps to ensure that the benefits are used, companies can empower their administrative staff to pursue new areas of expertise, embrace challenges, and contribute to organizational success in meaningful ways.

To explore learning options for your team, contact a Workforce Edge specialist today.